Derby County 2-2 Southampton: Saints surrender two-goal lead at Pride Park
By Marc Walker
Southampton let a commanding lead slip on Saturday as they drew 2-2 with Derby County in the FA Cup.
A brace from Nathan Redmond had seen the visitors 2-0 ahead early into the second-half, but Derby replied with strikes from Jack Marriott and Tom Lawrence to set up a replay at St Mary’s.
Changes came from both sides ahead of the game and Ralph Hasenhuttl handed Callum Slattery his Saints debut whilst filling the bench with fellow academy graduates Kayne Ramsay, Tyreke Johnson, Marcus Barnes and Yan Valery.
Saints took the lead after just four minutes as Nathan Redmond again produced the goods upfront.
He found some space to fire a shot across goal and although the ball looked bound for the net anyway, Richard Keogh diverted into his own goal when trying to make a block.
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If the goal is awarded to the Redmond, three goals and two assists have come for him in his last six games after his original struggle with chance conversion.
As with many of the new manager’s games so far, Saints seemed happy to let the opposition have their fair share of possession and Derby had a decent chance of their own after half an hour.
A good break forward saw Jack Marriott lay the ball off for the lively Duane Holmes and he forced a low save from Angus Gunn at his near post.
As the half-time whistle blew though, it was Saints that had controlled the first period and they almost doubled their lead shortly before the break.
James Ward-Prowse drove a dangerous low ball across the face of goal towards the well-positioned Jack Stephens. However, the defender – still inside the box after a corner – couldn’t get a meaningful touch to bundle home.
To see themselves over the line fully, Saints will have been wanting to get an early second goal in the second-half and that is exactly what they got.
The in-form man Redmond was afforded far too much space outside the area to cut in on his right foot and unleashed a glorious curled effort into the far corner that gave Derby keeper Kelle Roos no chance.
However, a complete lack of concentration from Saints then saw their two-goal lead wiped out in the space of three minutes.
First, a smart finish inside the from Jack Marriott saw Derby perk up and they then levelled the game up as Tom Lawrence drove towards goal and slammed a shot in from just outside the box.
After not making too much of an impact at St Mary’s in his first months at the club, there was then a huge chance for Mohamed Elyounoussi to net his first competitive goal for Saints.
Charlie Austin clipped a nice cross into the unmarked Norwegian near the penalty spot but he could only direct a weak header straight at Roos.
Late on, Redmond would have a stinging effort saved but ultimately Saints only had themselves to blame for letting a commanding lead slip so easily.
They face the prospect of a replay at St Mary’s and an extra game added to their upcoming schedule.